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Residents who live near Middletown bar take safety precautions

Residents who live near Middletown bar take safety precautions

Residents who live near a Middletown bar said they want the establishment closed permanently because of safety concerns that lower property values.

They may soon get their wish.

Middletown police and the State Investigative Unit conducted an investigation last week at Bar Boca, Police Chief Rodney Muterspaw told the Journal-News. He said the agencies found six liquor violations, including drug use that led to one arrest, at the downtown bar located at 124 Charles St.

The bar owners, who live in Hamilton, were also cited for unsanitary conditions, he said.

Police have received complaints about the bar from residents and midnight patrol officers, the chief said.

“We’re working on getting it shut down,” Muterspaw said. “We don’t want it open. The community doesn’t want it open. It’s not fair to the residents who live there. It’s a bad place in that neighborhood. I know that sounds harsh, but I’m tired of being nice to people who don’t care about the city.”

After further investigation this week, Muterspaw said he anticipates additional violations with other agencies.

The owners of Bar Boca could not be reached for comment.

If Bar Boca is closed, it would be the second time a bar in that location was shut down by the city. Miller’s Lounge closed in 2014 after repeated nuisance violations, police said.